Flowering Jade

My 25-year old jade plant has put up with lots of neglect (probably bordering on plant abuse!). One time I put it into a sunny, south-facing room..problem is that I never use the room and forgot about the plant...for almost 6 months. By the time I rediscovered it, the floor was covered with desiccated sparkly leaves...more leaves than were on the jade plant. Miraculously, it came back. This year, I put it outside in the summer so it could have lots of sun. Once again, I forgot about the plant until Endless Mountain Edna gently reminded me we had already had a frost and the plant might be happier inside. Thinking I'd really done it this time, I lugged the plant into the house, put in a spot where I can see it every day and even protected it from the house critters with a nice little fence. I didn't expect much. The soil had totally dried out (I never water it when it's outside) ... leaves were dead or dying...and I had no idea how much frost damage might have occurred. I was totally surprised when my plant rewarded my lack of care with the first flowers it had ever produced. The photo shows just how pretty they are.

Turns out that jade plants often flower when they're exposed to dry, cold conditions. According to the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden, "To encourage bloom, allow the plant to go without water around the time of the first frost. When the days get short, withhold the water completely and let the plant withstand the cool nights. Several weeks of this dry, cold treatment followed by regular watering will result in blossoms around the shortest day of the year. Regular watering, or nights too warm, and the plant will remain healthy, but bloom-less." Penn State has a very nice Fact Sheet on jade plants authored by Katie Sanford. The Fact Sheet reviews basic information about growing and diseases and has excellent photos and directions for propgating from leaf and stem cuttings. You can access the page at http://www.personal.psu.edu/kls460/My%20Web%20Sites/Jade%20Plant.htm.

Current Comments

The flower sure are pretty! thanks for the picture!

Posted By: Emelie | Dec 7, 2011 4:20:06 PM

Its my honor to get some information about a man who just doing his job as a Gardner for past 30 years.he just love trees and planets,but all credit goes to the owner of this site that he wrote a fantastic blog,God bless you.

engraved metal name badge is made with photo etched.Material of bronze,plating with nickel.Name with Sophina,one flying bird of peace.On top of head is a green leaf.Color with green&blue&white.Round shape easy to adorm.

I would like to say I have had my jade plant for over twenty five years and this is the first time I have seen flowers quite nice

Posted By: Ron Cook | Dec 5, 2014 10:45:09 AM

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Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by Penn State Extension Horticulture Educators. Once they complete their training, they cooperate with service agencies and community groups on a wide range of gardening projects. Their talents and energies are directed toward providing a link between their community and Penn State Cooperative Extension and Outreach.